With the 1984 closing of the Yankton College and the transition of the campus buildings to the Federal Prison camp, the remaining Yankton College archives, transcripts, and furnishings were in flux. The school retained its original charter and many voices contributed to determining the course and legacy of Yankton College over the coming years.  The archives changed physical location after the school closure, starting with an office granted by the prison camp. On September 22, 1989, Yankton College moved into the basement of the Reetz building, the former location of  JC Penney’s. It was during that time period the “College Without Walls” concept was started offering workshops, seminars and lecture series.  Yankton College moved out of the Reetz basement to the Yankton Summit Center at the newly constructed Yankton High School in January 1997, with a 30 year agreement with the City of Yankton and the school district.  

 

 

During the early 2000s, a YC Board of Trustees Subcommittee reached out to alumni looking for their vision of the future legacy of the Yankton College. YC alumni surveys told us there was a strong desire to keep the face of Yankton College observable and we found just the place.  The historic Mead building on the old Human Services Center Campus at the North edge of Yankton, is of approximately the age and style of our beloved campus buildings – the Conservatory in particular. 

 

In 2015, an agreement was reached with the Yankton County Historical Society whereby we Yankton College descendants “occupy” about 3200 sq. ft. of space on the third floor of the Mead Cultural Education Center, for an office area and research area, proper storage for the historical collection, gathering places, dedicated spaces honoring outstanding alumni in all areas of the wide curriculum which YC offered over the years and more.  This space would be accessible by the grand marble staircase of the Mead Museum or by elevator directly to the 3rd floor.  We have that for which we have longed for decades – a space of our own where we can gather and commune amongst those who have gone before us – faculty, administrators, groundskeepers, actors, philosophers, athletes, musicians, and so many more.  

 

 

Through the end of 2024, a successful decade long campaign raised over $840,000 with deep appreciation to our donors. This exceeded our original goal of $750,000 with alumni help in order to assure a permanent home and perpetual care of this historic project, making the dream of “Yankton College FOREVER” which we all share, come true. Funds continue to assist in preservation of archives and the Gallery displays of Yankton College memorabilia. 

 

The 2018 All Class Reunion introduced the Alumni to the potential of the new facility at the Mead Museum. Through the efforts of staff and many volunteers in planning, the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of Galleries 1 and 2 at Yankton College’s “current home” was held on July 14, 2022 during the All Class Reunion.  Two Years later the 2024 All Class Reunion featured the official Grand Opening of Galleries 3 and 4 of the Joseph and Sarah Wood Ward Alumni & Educational Center of Yankton College (JSWWAECYC).  Later, the Youngworth Conference room displays were designed, crafted, and made available for public viewing.